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After a brief wait to ensure their adversaries would not return, Chu Qingzhi, who had been crouching beside a table, straightened up. A slight smirk crossed her face as she mused internally, “So easily fooled by a simple illusion.”

The others in the room looked baffled as to why their enemy couldn’t tell they were feigning death.

Chu Qingzhi instructed, “There’s water at the back. Go wash your faces. No need to keep up the act any longer.”

“Acknowledged,” came the collective response.

According to the plan, Chu Qingzhi and Tang Jinghong set out alone to track down “Nine” and investigate the “Yun” faction, while the rest of the group would return to the capital and seek lodging in an inn.

Chu Qingzhi carefully explained the plan and then departed with Tang Jinghong.

Before embarking on their pursuit of “Nine,” they visited the room where Qian Junjie and a young girl lay unconscious.

Chu Qingzhi briefed Tang Jinghong about Qian Junjie and the girl. Deeming Qian Junjie worthless and wicked beyond redemption, Tang Jinghong stepped forward, drew a dagger from his boot, and swiftly ended Junjie’s life. The girl was entrusted to Ge Lihua for temporary care, with hopes of eventually sending her back home.

Tang Jinghong, grasping Chu Qingzhi’s hand, asked worriedly, “Qingzhi, what did ‘Nine’ give you to eat earlier?”

Chu Qingzhi replied with a smile, “Just an antidote to a poison. I’m fine.”

Tang Jinghong relaxed, “That’s good to hear.”

“Nine” returned to his master and reported, “Master, the deed is done.”

The middle-aged man nodded, “Well done. Have all the buyers arrived?”

“Nine” responded respectfully, “They are all here, waiting in the room.”

The middle-aged man instructed, “Take all the goods except that specific item to them.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Nine” led his men to carry five boxes to a room on the second floor of the gambling den, where thirty-four people in black cloaks and unidentifiable identities sat waiting.

As the boxes were brought in, the buyers craned their necks in anticipation.

“I wonder what treasures Master Yuan has brought this time,” one mused.

“I’ll buy a couple of items, no matter what. Master Yuan’s goods are always rare and valuable,” another declared.

The room buzzed with eager conversations, reflecting the buyers’ interest. It was clear this wasn’t their first such business dealing.

Chu Qingzhi and Tang Jinghong sat in an adjacent room, keeping a close eye on “Nine.”

Chu Qingzhi listened to the buyers’ excited chatter with a roll of her eyes. What value did these burial items hold for them? Tainted with the aura of death and malice, these items would send their buyers to an early demise. To her, their excitement in purchasing what were essentially harbingers of death was absurd.

Taking advantage of the moment, Tang Jinghong asked Chu Qingzhi, “Have you seen the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts I prepared for you?”

Her expression softened, “Yes, I loved them.”

Tang Jinghong had sent her unique pastries and mooncakes from the capital, a unity knot he had crafted himself, and a jade comb he had meticulously carved. Despite being new to carving, he had practiced on wood before finally crafting the comb out of jade, pouring immense thought and effort into it.

The unity knot symbolized his heart residing in Chu Village, despite being physically in the capital. The comb represented his deep longing for Chu Qingzhi. In return, she had also gifted him a comb, extending her feelings towards him.

Tang Jinghong gazed at Chu Qingzhi, captivated by her beauty, which shone like the moon, her wrists as delicate as frost. He could never tire of looking at her.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed under his intense gaze, Chu Qingzhi used her palm to block his view, “That’s enough.”

Tang Jinghong smiled lightly, “Alright, I’ll stop looking.” He then asked with concern, “Would you like something to eat? I can go and buy it for you.”

“Please, I’m hungry,” she replied, appreciating his kindness.

”1’11 be back soon,” Tang Jinghong said, stepping out of the window to buy various delicacies from the black market.

Left alone, Chu Qingzhi found herself slightly bored. She listened to the ongoing transactions in the neighboring room but found nothing noteworthy. They were all vying for the burial items, with “Nine” standing by and watching.

Chu Qingzhi pondered over the situation. Was the Feng Shui in the eastern border so exceptional that it was home to such richly furnished tombs? Why would the “Yun” faction, a powerful force, resort to grave robbing? There were many ways for such an organization to make money, so why choose such a despicable and universally condemned method?

In this era, digging someone’s tomb was unacceptable. To risk the world’s condemnation just to earn money? It didn’t make sense.

Lost in thought but unable to make sense of it, she decided to put it aside for the time being. Just then, Tang Jinghong returned.

He brought four different types of food – date cake, meat pie, bean roll, and sour plum soup.

Looking at the spread on the table, Chu Qingzhi couldn’t help but laugh, “Jinghong, do you really think I can eat all of this?”

Tang Jinghong replied hastily, “No, I just wanted to give you a variety to choose from. If you can’t finish, I’ll eat the rest.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “Let’s eat together. I’m sure I won’t be able to finish everything.”

Tang Jinghong said, “Okay.”

Their timing was perfect. As they finished their meal, they noticed movement in the next room.

Chu Qingzhi focused her divine sense on “Nine.” He couldn’t escape her watchful eye. Leading his men, he headed towards the entrance of the black market.

“Jinghong, ‘Nine’ is leaving…”

Tang Jinghong, holding Chu Qingzhi’s hand, spoke seriously, “Qingzhi, always protect yourself first and avoid taking risks.”

Chu Qingzhi, not one to act rashly, assured him that everything she did was within her capabilities, “Okay, I promise.”

Tang Jinghong stretched out his long arm and hugged Chu Qingzhi before chasing after “Nine.”

Chu Qingzhi kept pace with him.

“Nine” led his men to where the boxes were stored, guarded by a few of his people. He ordered, “Pick up the boxes and follow me.”

“Yes, Master.”

The men quickly secured the boxes and carried them away with haste, leaving the black market.

Tang Jinghong and Chu Qingzhi exchanged a glance and followed at a safe distance.

Leaving the black market, “Nine’s” group immediately entered a dense forest, avoiding the main path and moving with extreme caution.

The forest was thick with towering trees, with only slivers of moonlight filtering through the branches. The group moved quickly, familiar with the route as if they had traveled it countless times.

If not for Chu Qingzhi and Tang Jinghong’s exceptional martial skills, they might have quickly lost their target.

Navigating the forest was like traversing a labyrinth, with “Nine’s” group turning this way and that, and then, strangely, they vanished completely..